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Anything you are or do in His name is ministry!

Posted by Joy Martin on 8 June 2009 | 3 Comments

Tags: fruit, failure, Jeremiah, encouragement

Recently I received an email from a former student of mine-his words broke my heart. He described his painful feelings of failure. When he was young, preachers had told him that God had a great purpose for his life, and now, in his 50's, he decided that these preachers had deceived him What kind of great accomplishments had he ever made, he asked. He had not become a great preacher or missionary. But he had been true to a calling that he believed God had given him, serving in a dangerous and difficult occupation in law enforcement. Now in midlife, he felt betrayed because he could show little of what he called "fruit."

I thought much about his life and influence. For years he has personally sent out hundreds of letters to people in his hometown, sharing his testimony, enclosing a tract, and inviting them to trust Christ. He mourned that he had received so few responses.

I wrote him immediately and reminded him that throughout Biblical history and church history, some of God's dearest servants have served without recognition, reward, or even much in the way of results that they could see. Think about Jeremiah's ministry-not many believed him; he was mocked and imprisoned. But he continued to obey God and trust Him. And so even today, the message and life of Jeremiah impacts lives.

All of us need to remember first, that we can't judge our impact on others' lives. Some of you have had a powerful influence through your ministry of encouragement. Some of you dear ones have prayed for those who have what appears to be a more public or important ministry. Two weeks ago I met a dear lady in her eighties who attended a meeting I spoke at. I learned that she has had for years a prayer ministry. "Oh," I said, "Would you pray for me? I need your prayers so much." I was surprised when she said, "Joy, you and your sisters have been on my prayer list for years!"

Some of you have the gift of kind words, or sweet songs, or hospitality, or loving touches. We won't know till we get to Heaven how God has used the apparently small and insignificant actions of our lives to impact others. We must never try to evaluate the importance of our lives by our busyness or service. God is most pleased when we offer Him the sacrifices of a pure and loving heart, gratitude and praise, obedience and faithfulness.

"Does the place you're called to labor, seem so small and little known.
It is great if God is in it, and He'll not forget His own.
Little is much, if God is in it; Labor not for wealth or fame.
There's a crown, and you can win it, if you'll go in Jesus' name."
- Mrs. W.F Suffield

I am so grateful for the opportunities God has given me to speak this spring, to mentor young women, to counsel some who were struggling. But most of all I thank Him for His love and mercy that He lavishes on us every day.

So take heart! Whether you are a bright young mother or a frail older lady, whether you can give big gifts or little one, whether you share Christ with 500 or with one, anything you are or do in His name is ministry! May God give you a blessed week!


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  • THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR MININSTRY ALL THESE YEARS YOUR FAITHFULNESS HAS RICHLY BLESSED MY LIFE TO GO ON,,,,,

    Posted by PAULINE ORTEGA, 06/01/2010 11:30am (2 years ago)

  • Joy:

    What a blessing to receive you brochures and information on conference in October. Also your articles. I am so thankful (and I know your parents are) that you girls have remained faithful to God and their life.
    We have retired from the church due to my husbands health, but I still travel and speak at seminars and ladies conferences. Thank God he is able to travel with me sometimes.
    Retirement is wonderful time of life. I told Jackie Dark I pray that my "retiring years" will be years of "inspiring" others to stay faithful to God.
    Give my regards to Libby, Jessie and Carol. It won't long now until we all will be at that great meeting with our Lord and Saviour.
    Just wanted to know you all have been a blessing to me and to many ladies over the years. Keep on keeping on.

    Posted by Joan Knierim, 05/28/2010 4:36pm (2 years ago)

  • I like this

    Posted by Sue, 08/24/2009 3:31pm (2 years ago)

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Recently I received an email from a former student of mine-his words broke my heart. He described his painful feelings of failure. When he was young, preachers had told him that God had a great purpose for his life, and now, in his 50's, he decided that these preachers had deceived him What kind of great accomplishments had he ever made, he asked. He had not become a great preacher or missionary. But he had been true to a calling that he believed God had given him, serving in a dangerous and difficult occupation in law enforcement. Now in midlife, he felt betrayed because he could show little of what he called "fruit." I thought much about his life and influence. For years he has personally sent out hundreds of letters to people in his hometown, sharing his testimony, enclosing a tract, and inviting them to trust Christ. He mourned that he had received so few responses. I wrote him immediately and reminded him that throughout Biblical history and church history, some of God's dearest servants have served without recognition, reward, or even much in the way of results that they could see. Think about Jeremiah's ministry-not many believed him; he was mocked and imprisoned. But he continued to obey God and trust Him. And so even today, the message and life of Jeremiah impacts lives. All of us need to remember first, that we can't judge our impact on others' lives. Some of you have had a powerful influence through your ministry of encouragement. Some of you dear ones have prayed for those who have what appears to be a more public or important ministry. Two weeks ago I met a dear lady in her eighties who attended a meeting I spoke at. I learned that she has had for years a prayer ministry. "Oh," I said, "Would you pray for me? I need your prayers so much." I was surprised when she said, "Joy, you and your sisters have been on my prayer list for years!" Some of you have the gift of kind words, or sweet songs, or hospitality, or loving touches. We won't know till we get to Heaven how God has used the apparently small and insignificant actions of our lives to impact others. We must never try to evaluate the importance of our lives by our busyness or service. God is most pleased when we offer Him the sacrifices of a pure and loving heart, gratitude and praise, obedience and faithfulness. "Does the place you're called to labor, seem so small and little known. It is great if God is in it, and He'll not forget His own. Little is much, if God is in it; Labor not for wealth or fame. There's a crown, and you can win it, if you'll go in Jesus' name." - Mrs. W.F Suffield I am so grateful for the opportunities God has given me to speak this spring, to mentor young women, to counsel some who were struggling. But most of all I thank Him for His love and mercy that He lavishes on us every day. So take heart! Whether you are a bright young mother or a frail older lady, whether you can give big gifts or little one, whether you share Christ with 500 or with one, anything you are or do in His name is ministry! May God give you a blessed week!